Project UMBRAS Diary
Surveying the Observing Area
Dec. 2003—
Paul Henze and Mark Kochte prepared surverying equipment. Brian Eney and Paul Henze (guided north by Mark) measure the viewing area, 100 meters is required for the first test (328 feet). We paused briefly for a group shot (its 7 degrees Farenheit). Survey group consisted of Mark Kochte, Paul Henze, Brian Eney and Erich Bender. 100 meters finally measured! Paul in foreground, Brian is standing at the site of the occulting 'disk'. Brian is 5'7" can you see him? He is standing just to the left of the blue van. We have to aim a telescope at an object 1-inch square across! It is going to be interesting.
Occulter Construction
Feb 1, 2004—
Paul Henze whipped together the stand for the occulter from pieces of scraps about the house. Brian Eney and Erich Bender deliver the much a waited for first surface mirror- given to us by Helen Hart from the UMBRAS team. Stay tuned for our first light test...
Preliminary Photos
March 2, 2004—
Pictured here is an unprocessed, quasi dark frame subtracted,
pretty close to focused,ST-4 10 sec exposure of Polaris using the NP101 (w/diagonal) at Prime focus with the 9mm square aperture mask.
